Avocado Hummus

Hummus and guacamole are undoubtedly two of the most popular healthy game-day dips. They are both major crowd-pleasers and some of our favorites to serve along with Tzatziki, Healthy Queso, Black Bean Hummus, and Pico de Gallo.

However, what happens when you want both hummus and guacamole? You combine them, of course! At least, that’s how I first came up with this delicious recipe for Avocado Hummus.

It’s quite literally the best of both worlds, with the creamy texture of avocado and the nutty flavor of chickpeas. Add hummus staples like tahini, lemon or lime juice, and fresh herbs, then you’ve got yourself a true winner!

Serve this Avocado Hummus as a dip for pita chips, baked tortilla chips, and fresh vegetables, spread it onto your favorite wraps, or add a dollop to your next salad or grain bowl.

Regardless of how you choose to serve it, avocado hummus guarantees to become a new staple in your home!

Key Ingredients and Substitutions

To prepare this delicious and healthy appetizer, you will need the following key ingredients:

• Avocado: Loaded with heart-healthy fats and tons of nutrients, fresh avocados make this the creamiest hummus you’ve ever had. For this recipe, make sure to use perfectly ripe avocados for the best results.
• Chickpeas: This is the base of any traditional hummus. They’re loaded with protein and fiber and are great for adapting to different flavors. Canned or homemade chickpeas can be used.
• Tahini: In addition to making this hummus even creamier, tahini also adds a delightfully nutty flavor to the dish. If you don't love tahini, you can swap in cashew butter, extra olive oil, or yogurt.
• Lemon juice: This brightens up the flavors of our hummus while preventing the avocado from turning brown. Lime juice is also delicious if you want more guacamole-inspired flavors.
• Olive oil: This adds to the richness and depth of flavor in the dish, while also lending tons of heart-healthy fats.
• Cilantro: Fresh herbs like cilantro are wonderful for adding tons of amazing flavor to a dish. In this case, fresh cilantro also makes the color of the hummus even more striking! If you aren't a hummus fan, swap in parsley, basil, or even arugula.

How to Make Avocado Hummus

This hummus with avocado is really easy to make! Follow these steps for a flavorful, super creamy hummus every time.

Preparing the chickpeas

If you are starting with canned chickpeas, make sure to rinse them really well to remove any canned flavor. For extra creamy hummus, remove the skins of the chickpeas by rubbing them with a paper towel.

For even smoother hummus, soak the chickpeas in cold water and a spoonful of baking soda. The baking soda helps to soften the chickpeas, or any beans for that matter.

Take Your Time

While you may be tempted to simply dump everything in the food processor at once, adding things slowly creates a smoother hummus. Start with the tahini, lemon juice, and garlic. Make sure the garlic gets nice and broken down.

Then add the chickpeas and blend until they are starting to become fluffy and creamy.

Then finish with the avocado, cilantro, salt, and cumin. Drizzle in olive oil and cold water until the hummus is super smooth and creamy.

Check the seasoning

Taste the avocado hummus and adjust the seasoning as needed. Avocados and chickpeas can be both be bland without salt, so make sure it is well salted and has enough lemon or lime juice.

Recipe Tips and Variations

Here are a few tips and tricks that will help you get the best avocado hummus every time:

• Play around with consistency. To achieve that airy, light, and smooth consistency, I like to add some ice-cold water to the mixture. For an even smoother texture (and to go easier on your digestive system), try peeling the chickpeas before blending them up. Another trick for super smooth hummus is soaking canned chickpeas in cold water and a spoonful of baking soda for 15-20 minutes before blending them. Then rinse, dry, and blend.
• Canned vs cooked. While canned chickpeas work perfectly fine, I’ve found that home-cooked chickpeas yield the best results in terms of flavor and texture. Choose whichever you prefer!
• Experiment with flavors. Feel free to play around with flavors and make this hummus your own. To create a spicier version, try adding jalapeno to the mix. Want to turn this into a larger appetizer? Add it to a classic 7-layer dip for your next party.
• Without tahini. While tahini is absolutely delicious and a staple in classic hummus, you can swap it out if needed. Try subbing it for almond butter, cashew butter, sunflower seed butter, Greek yogurt, or simply more olive oil.

Best Ways to Serve Avocado Hummus

This delicious avocado hummus is a healthy appetizer or spread that comes together in just minutes. While it tastes phenomenal served simply with some pita chips, there are tons of ways to enjoy this dish.

From salads to grain bowls and even sandwiches, the options are nearly endless. Here are some of the best ways to serve avocado hummus:

• As an appetizer or dip. This dish makes a fantastic addition to any snack table. Try pairing it with chips, pretzels, crackers, and fresh veggies like carrots, broccoli, and celery.
• As condiment: This avocado hummus tastes delicious with grilled chicken, salmon, and sometimes I also like to serve it with tacos since it has a similar flavor to guacamole.
• As a spread. I love using this hummus as a spread for my toast, sandwiches, wraps, and grain bowls. It’s a delicious way to add protein, fiber, and nutrients to your meals.
• As a dressing. Want to step up your salad game? Swap out the dressing on your next salad with this creamy hummus. If you find that it’s a little too thick for your taste, you can thin it out with a little extra olive oil or water.
• Create a mezze platter: Make a delicious Mediterranean mezze platter with baba ganoush, roasted red peppers, falafel, olives, marinated artichokes, cucumber salad, tabbouleh, and pita bread.

How to Store Leftover Hummus

Whether you’re left with some leftover hummus or just planning to meal prep in advance, this dish is super easy to store. All you need to do is transfer the hummus to an airtight container. Then, you can store it in one of two ways:

• In your fridge for up to 4-5 days.
• In the freezer for up to 4-6 months.

Since avocados are prone to oxidation, you might see some browning after some time. To keep your avocado hummus from turning brown, you can add extra lemon or lime juice. Also, store it with plastic wrap pressed right against the surface to stop the air from touching the hummus.

Calories 191, Total Fat 13g, Total Carbohydrate 16g, Protein 6g, Serving Size 3-4 tbsp

from Slender Kitchen Blog and Recipes RSS Feed https://ift.tt/sQyMPru